What We Believe

Salvation Statement

In order to obtain true salvation there first must be a sense of trouble, conviction,
and condemnation set up by God in the heart of the unsaved person. They must
pray and seek God and repent of their sins until they know for themselves that God
has forgiven and saved them. Man does not convict them and man cannot tell them
when God forgives and saves them.

God is all powerful and can save the soul of one seeking Him any place, any time
when God's conditions are met. However, we give opportunity for those desiring to
seek and find God to come to the front for prayer. The pew sitting in the front
facing the congregation is referred to as the "mourner's bench".

The unsaved person does not obtain salvation simply by "accepting", "believing",
"making a decision for Christ", or "being baptized" as many teach today.

It is true that a person must "accept" and "believe" that Christ is who the Bible
teaches He is. One must also believe that he is the rewarder of those that diligently
seek him. This is a historical belief and is definitely required by one seeking God.
When one is saved, he/she receives a new, regenerated soul as stated by Jesus in
John chapter 3 and must be under those terms stated to Nicodemus by Jesus Christ,
(born again). It is true that a person must "decide" to seek Christ; he/she must be
determined to seek until he/she finds Him.

We do not believe in using "Repeat after me" prayers nor in reading scripture
passages to them to convince them they have prayed, trusted, or believed. We
condemn the practice known as "The Roman Road" and all other "easy believism"
practices. These practices substitute a historical belief for a belief from the heart.

We do pray with the person seeking God and we do believe in encouraging them
according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

When God saves the individual, the individual knows, without anyone telling them -
including the preacher, loved ones, or any friend.

Articles of Faith

ARTICLE 1. OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly
instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter;
that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the
true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be
tried.
ARTICLE II. OF THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is
JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all
possible honor, confidence, and love; that i the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work
of redemption.
ARTICLE III. OF THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell
from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice;
being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under
just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
ARTICLE IV. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who
by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his
personal obedience, and by his death make a full atonement for our sins; that by having risen from the dead, he is now
enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every
way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all- sufficient Saviour.
ARTICLE V. OF JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is justification; that
justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principals of righteousness that it is
bestowed, not in consideration of nay works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the
Redeemer's blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us
into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
ARTICLE VI. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all
to accept them by a cordial penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner
on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an
aggravated condemnation.
ARTICLE VII. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in
giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the
Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper
evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.
ARTICLE VIII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the
regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of
salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time
heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all
sufficient Saviour.
ARTICLE IX OF GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies
and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in
connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise,
holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God,
and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means to the highest degree; that it may be
ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that
to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
ARTICLE X. OF SANCTIFICATION
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his
holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of
believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the
appointed means especially, the word of God, self examination, self denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
ARTICLE XI. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ
is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their
welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
ARTICLE XII OF THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just,
and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribes to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from
their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the
holy law, is one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible
church.
ARTICLE XIII. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the
faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts,
rights, and privileges invested in them by his work; that its only scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons,
whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined i the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
ARTICLE XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost; to show forth in solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with
it's effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is a prerequisite to the privileges of a church
relation; and to the Lord's supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of unleavened bread and
the fruit of the vine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self
examination.
ARTICLE XV OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to
religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observance of all the
means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for the rest that remaineth for the people of God.
ARTICLE XVI. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and
that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
ARTICLE XVII OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only
as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous
in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and
this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
ARTICLE XVIII OF THE WORLD TO COME
We believe that the end of this world is approaching; that at the Last Day, Christ will descend from heaven, and
raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will
be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final
state of men in heaven and hell, on principles of righteousness.

Church Covenent

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on
the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we
do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one
another, as one body in Christ.
We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the
advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality to sustain
its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry,
the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to religiously educate our children; to seek the
salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in
our engagement, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain
from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of
our Saviour.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid
each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to
take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other
church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.